24th June, 2015
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has vowed to keep kidnappers out of business as the government will continue to demolish their hideouts.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said in Owerri on Tuesday that the demolition was part of the measure to prevent kidnapping and other violent crimes in collaboration with the security agencies.
The statement quoted the governor as expressing concern about the trend of kidnapping which he described as “ugly” during his visit to the Department of State Services (DSS).
“The government is battle ready to end kidnapping and violent crimes in the state to ensure the safety of lives and property of the residents.
“Let me again warn criminals and kidnappers to get out of Imo because this is not a place for you. We are ready for you,” Okorocha was quoted as saying.
He recalled that four years ago before he assumed office as governor, kidnappers and other criminals traumatised the state until his administration brought it to a halt.
He said the government would continue to demolish houses belonging to kidnappers or any building where kidnap victims were kept.
The governor advised parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their wards and report suspicious movements to the security agencies.
“Any house of any kidnapper or where a kidnapper is found will be demolished.
“Moreso, houses of kidnappers’ parents will equally be demolished if their lifestyle and means of livelihood did not justify the buildings,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Francis Ejiofor, the Director of the DSS, said the command had set up a task force in the three zones of the state to combat crimes .
He said the task force had recorded successes in tracking and arresting kidnappers in the state.
Ejiofor said the department arrested six kidnap suspects while their victim, Mr Nnawike Chilaka, was freed after being held captive for five days.
He said the suspects included a security man from Niger Republic, a student of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, a female secondary school student, and three others.